NFL free-agency grades: NFC West

With the most important transactions now complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during free agency.

NFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
AFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were aggressive while attempting to get out of the NFL's basement, signing numerous free agents and adding another player via trade. They didn't make any big-name additions, but the Cardinals smartly focused on filling out their roster rather than splurging on a few top free agents.

Hicks was the most significant addition, and the linebacker became a relative bargain compared to other signings at his position. The veteran's strong coverage skills will be invaluable for a retooled Cardinals defense. Elsewhere, adding Suggs should ease Chander Jones' workload, and at a low cost of just $7 million in 2019. He recorded 7.5 sacks last year, and his presence mitigates the loss of Golden.

Arizona clearly prioritized revamping its dismal offensive line. Gilbert, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be paid a reasonable 2019 salary ($6.2 million per season) and he should seamlessly slide into the right tackle spot. Garcia, meanwhile, has started before and will add valuable depth, and Sweezy flourished in 2018 after a move to left guard while with the Seattle Seahawks. The Cardinals should protect their quarterback - whether it's Josh Rosen or Kyler Murray - much better in 2019.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are in championship mode, at least until Jared Goff gets his big-money extension. Without significant cap space to work with, Los Angeles brought in two 30-plus-year-old defenders. One of the big-name veteran additions is a slam dunk, but the other is perplexing.

Weddle is an instinctive free safety who will comfortably fit into Wade Phillips' unit. Because the Ravens released him, Weddle also won't hurt the Rams' chances for compensatory picks.

It's harder to see a role for Matthews. His pass-rushing talent is all but gone - he recorded just 3.5 sacks in 2018 - and while his versatility is appealing, will the 32-year-old's impact on the inside justify a two-year deal worth a maximum of $16.75 million? Likely not.

Giving Fowler a prove-it deal was logical after sending a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-rounder to the Jacksonville Jaguars for him at last year's trade deadline. But the young linebacker didn't show nearly enough to warrant $12 million on a one-year contract. The Rams were limited in what they could do, but at best, the NFC champs are exiting free agency with about the same talent level they had when the offseason began.

Grade: C

San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo's early-season ACL tear killed the hype surrounding the 49ers in 2018, forcing them to tread water the rest of the year. Boldly acquiring Ford from the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2020 second-rounder sent a clear message, though the Niners paid a hefty but fair price for an elite 28-year-old pass-rusher. Ford immediately inking a deal worth just $17 million annually - $6.4 million less than fellow outside linebacker Khalil Mack - was the icing on the cake. He fills the team's biggest need.

The four-year, $54-million deal given to Alexander, however, is a little harder to stomach. The 49ers can get out of his contract after paying Alexander $14.5 million for one season, and cutting him prior to April 2020 results in only a $3 million dead cap hit. But that's still too much for an off-ball linebacker recovering from a torn ACL. While Alexander is a solid player when healthy, similar production could've been found elsewhere for far better value.

San Francisco's only real loss was Garcon, and although his release left a sizeable dead-money hit, the 49ers' young receivers should now be able to flourish.

Coleman and Verrett are low-cost, big-upside additions. And while a move at safety - other than re-signing the oft-injured Ward - would've been smart, Tre Boston is among the intriguing options still available.

It's impossible to nail every offseason decision, but few teams came closer than the 49ers during free agency.

Grade: A-

Seattle Seahawks

It was a quiet but productive free-agent period for the Seahawks. Initially, Wright appeared to be heading elsewhere, but Seattle managed to retain him on a solid two-year deal. That's one of the most overlooked moves during free agency, as when combined with the re-signing of Kendricks to an incentivized one-year pact, Seattle's elite linebacking group is remaining intact.

The Seahawks continued to focus on bringing back their own talent. Retaining Fluker, whose strong run-blocking skills are valuable to the offense, was a priority after losing J.R. Sweezy. Iupati should easily replace Sweezy, but after missing 21 of 32 games over two years with the Cardinals, relying on him to start is a risk.

Seattle also corrected its mistake of choosing kicker Sebastian Janikowski over Myers during last year's training camp. Myers went on to produce a Pro Bowl season with the New York Jets, and he'll finally solidify the position long term for the Seahawks after inking a four-year deal.

Seattle still must find a replacement at slot corner for Coleman, but that's a minor concern considering coach Pete Carroll's stellar history of picking and developing cornerbacks.

Grade: B-

NFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
AFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH